How Does Health Insurance Work For Non-Resident Spouses?
I’m a US citizen, who is currently outside of the enrollment window for my employers health coverage, also, myself (US Citizen) and my wife who is a non-resident alien are currently looking at options for health insurance in California. I’m not sure about the process and options entirely, but I’m hoping to avoid any government-funded options if possible as I’m aware there is a public charge rule that could negatively impact her (AOS) application process.
If anyone has any information, or guides about the general process or tips on what to consider or where to begin, I’d greatly appreciate it.
What job titles can someone get with no experience in healthcare and either no degree/certificates or some kind of certificate/training program that's 6 months or shorter? I hear phlebotomy is nice but it's kind of hard to find openings, thoughts?
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Recently had a COVID test done because I had reason to believe I had COVID. Cut to five days later, I get a charge for $500 for the COVID test alone. After scuffling with the billing customer service and my insurance company, I have come to the understanding that there is nothing else I can do except pay for it. Well, at least now I’ve learned my lesson and will take my COVID tests at home so I don’t get scammed again.
Hello
I work at a job that provides the benefit of everyone being part of a health program called First Stop Health. I might be leaving this job soon and I really want to be able to get health insurance without waiting till November.
I know losing small little health program from leaving jobs doesn't count as a qualifying life event. That being said First Stop Health provides consultations, Rx prescriptions, Telehealth for mental health and more. So it's not just like a wellness initiative or something, but it also isn't insurance.
I feel like it should count as a QLE because I currently use it to meet a lot of my health needs. But not sure how picky places are.
I called MNsure and they weren't sure and said to call first stop health. First Stop Health isn't sure either. I could apply without checking first but I wanted to try and figure some info before I go through the effort of leaving my job and applying for special enrollment.
I work for a company that was purchased at the end of last year. They changed our health insurance to their corporate plan with promises to add a clinic for the site as well as add local healthcare providers into their network. There are no in-network providers in our state. I know companies of their size must offer health insurance per the AHA. I also believe that since it is offered we can't go to the marketplace for alternative coverage. My question would be if they can offer insurance that we can't reasonably use? That seems like an obvious loophole that rules and regs would have covered? Otherwise what would prevent a huge corp. from offering insurance with the only in-network provider in the middle of Alaska to cut costs of anyone ever using it?
Not sure if this belongs here, but my medical practice was contacted by a firm who represents a company participating in ACO-REACH. Our practice is small (>200 patients) but serves the population that this program aims to benefit (minority Medicare recipients). We were presented information that our participation wouldn't impact our normal billing operations and there was only upside (shared savings with the funds the company receives). Does anyone have a practice that participates in ACO-REACH? Has it been a positive experience? I want to ensure there isn't any extra documentation or potential revenue losses if our patients costs exceed Medicare's model. We serve elderly and disabled patients, so they are already in a high risk/ more expensive group.
As a recent undergrad student who graduated with a bachelors of science in community health & wants to get into hospital administration & or health consulting. What job titles should I be applying for? I haven’t really come across anything that really says “hospital administrator” either. Unless indeed and linked in is not cutting it.
Which job provides more growth opportunities and has better pay? I'm located in the Boston area if that helps! Thank you for any and all advice or input!
hello, i started college as a pre med student but quickly realized i didn’t want to be a doctor but still wanted to be in healthcare. maybe as some sort of aide or tech. right now, sonography is my number one choice with radiography being second. can anyone speak to either of those jobs (or recommend other health care jobs) and what they’re like? i know the basics of what they entail but i’m not sure which program i should apply to. anything helps, thank you!
USA
Tricare Select is over 4000$ for 90 days for a family. The coverage in general is good however what the hell is that price point?!
For retirees it's like 1200$ ANNUALLY for a family...
Not sure if I'm misunderstanding this but on the CHCBP website it states the 4k, on the Tricare website sheet just the lower amount. It's just under "others" but you'd think it should still be the right amount.
Do we really have to spend 16k just on healthcare without the deductibles every year until we finally retire if we want to use Tricare after that? Am I missing something with the costs?
Almost three years ago I got covid in a small town of 5k and wound up in a little regional hospital. After about a week I got a call from someone demanding my insurance info and badgering me about payment. I told them I was on the verge of death and that I would look into it if they'd call back in a week or so when I felt better. I was too sick to research the problem. I finally had to block their number.
Later I would find out my insurance ran out after a week and I was supposed to renew it but since I was so sick I overlooked that notice so I became uninsured while laying in the hospital bed.
After two weeks a hospital administrator barged into my room like a whirwind, "Okay, get up, you're leaving today!" She was with someone from Lincare to teach me how to use my oxygen tanks. This was totally out of the blue. I begged them to allow me to stay saying I still felt too weak and sick. She wouldn't hear of it. The Lincare guy tried teaching me to use the oxygen but I couldn't follow him: Everything was too fast and confusing.
The nurse loaded me into my truck that had been in their little ER parking lot and stuffed the tanks in with me. She didn't ask if I had anywhere to go or anyone who coudl help me. So I drove back to the motel I was staying hoping my belongings were still in my room (which I had been paying for the whole time). I accidentally drove off the highway twice! I kept forgetting I was driving and just spacing out and wound up 10 yards off the highway in the tall grass. I thought about calling the police to come get me but I didn't know how to tell them where I was. I made it to the motel but I don't remember how I got my main o2 tank up to my room (it was too heavy for me to carry).
A week later in the motel my lung collapsed.
I wound up getting an emergency operation at the same little hospital and woke up in a larger hospital. My lung collapsed again. After about two weeks the doctor said they were sending me home. I begged them not to (this again!) saying I was too weak. Fortunately my father (a retired surgeon) was now with me and we both demanded that I stay. They gave me one more day. On that day, the day they were kicking me out, my lung collapsed again. I would have been at a new hotel 45 minutes away from the hospital if I hadn't insisted they let me stay. They did kick me out, early again, but this time I only had one trip back to their ER.
Anyway, I started thinking this all happened because I didn't have insurance. I know my bill came out to over 200k but I also know that the hosptial was paid (medicaid rate, I think) because of the CARES Act.
I was just curious to know if I was getting the shaft. Is this common practice? Thoughts?
Trying to decide if it's worth changing career paths at this point. I have worked in veterinary health care for 10 plus years and loved it. However the industry itself has a lot of issues and low pay is a major one. I'm trying to decide if it's worth switching into human healthcare for a better living wage. (I'm looking for something that makes at least 50k a year since my partner and I want to have kids and will need to be able to financially support them) I know I would need to go through schooling or a certain program and this is where the problem lies. I currently have a bachelor's in biology although most of the classes are almost 10 years old or older. Most of the health care programs I've looked up are in person only. And the last issue is that my husband is military and that means we move around a lot and currently we will be forced to move in 2 years.
I've looked into nursing but most of the programs would take longer than 2 years to complete and from what I've heard would not transfer to another school.
I'm trying to get more info on well paying careers within human health care that would have a short schooling option. Online or hybrid classes would be even better as I live in the middle of nowhere in my current state.
So far I've looked up nursing but can't find a program I could complete in time. I've looked up radiology and found it hard to find any school near me that I could complete in 2 years or less. So far the only short schooling I can find would be for surgical technician although the pay for that is much lower.
Looking for any ideas or insights that may help me out!
Hello
I lost my insurance when I turned 26. This was a few months ago. Because I work part time jobs that don't offer insurance I was going to do my state's (Minnesota) public option as I've heard it's decent and cheap. Anyway, I totally am new to this and didn't realize I needed to apply by Jan 15. Now that I missed it and don't have any special reasons for the extension. Is there truly no other private option or something I can do? I need to have some appointments this spring and want to start getting insurance but it seems everywhere I look even short term things you need to qualify for MA or it needs to be in the enrollment period.
Am I out of luck till November? I am willing to pay a decent amount for whatever insurance because it's probably still cheaper than having to pay over 100 dollars a session for therapy.
I feel so stupid and also so hopeless :(
Hello folks, long time lurker, first time poster. had question, I want to get into healthcare, I really enjoy my type of (got kids) as a newby what would be a good career path to take in healthcare that would allow me to work 12H shifts at a hospital? I really would enjoy a pay range of 35-45$ per hour ( westcoast resident) I know this might take some certifications and school, what do you professionals suggest? the end goal is to try to spend most of my time with the kids but also live a somewhat reasonable lifestyle. thank you so much!
Are there any realistic options for a career in healthcare for somebody with a BA in Education?
Give me anything you got
I'm currently looking for something new. I've never worked in a field that uses my degree (I'm recently out of college so I haven't lost the knowledge).
Hi everyone, I got laid off in December of last year and lost my employer health insurance at the end of January.
I signed up for Covered California and requested for coverage to begin on February 1st but for someone reason they gave me coverage starting March 1st. I called and asked them to fix this but they couldn’t.
Well, of course I just developed a really bad case of strep throat and I need antibiotics badly. What are my options as an unemployed individual with a need for care but no money?
Thanks it advance.
I'm trying to get established with a primary care, so I scheduled an appointment at my local doctor's office (in network). I set up an appointment with a nurse practitioner. When I look at what my bill will be for the visit, they're trying to charge me $755 for a single visit. I know there's usually first time patient fees, but I've NEVER seen one more than $400 or so. My insurance only covers $200 of it, and I just can't justify spending that much just to get set up. Does this sound right? I feel like I'm being robbed.
Hi,
I have been offered three jobs and want to know which one will provide me with the best experience as an early careerist with aspirations to continue up the ladder
Primary care - 1MD 2 APPS, handful of staff
Med /onc practice - 3 MDs , 2-3 APPS, handful of staff
surgical/oncology- 4MDs , 2-3APPs, and more staff than other 2
Your feedback will be greatly appreciated it.
I have a few ongoing issues that require more than a minute or two of review. When I see my PCP, there is often a lot to discuss. For example, I was given a diagnosis by a specialist recently and saw my PCP to receive more information/get her opinion. We spent the full 15 minutes discussing the diagnosis, and I still felt like it wasn't enough time.
I am planning on making an appointment for my annual physical. However, during past physicals, there never seems to be enough time for my doctor to complete both a thorough exam and answer questions about my health in just 15 minutes. I always leave the appointment with unanswered questions and worry that the physical exam was unthorough.
From my understanding, booking two back-to-back appointments is frowned upon, as the doctor would only be paid for one, but doing the work of two.
My doctor is also extremely booked, has stopped taking new patients, and is already taking appointments for 2025. I worry that making 2 appointments would take time away from someone who may need it more than myself.
Would it be weird/inconsiderate to book a second appointment a few days after my physical for the sole purpose of discussing ongoing issues, or should I just try to cram everything into one appointment, even though there would be unanswered questions?
Hello! I just had my second round interview at my dream new grad spot. I felt like the interview went okay, but I don't know. In previous interviews, I received a soft offer. I don't feel great about the fact I didn't get a soft offer in this one, but they did ask me about any time off I would need for orientation. They also did ask about timeline and moving and all that as well as, they told me what color scrubs they wear. My professors say this is a good sign. What are your thoughts? They said I should hear back within two weeks.
Would they ask all of that if I didn't get the job?
TLDR: made appointment to see doc. Thought it could be strep, but Doc said no it’s something else. Gets billed $80 for the visit. Come back 5 days later with the same issue. Same doc then says we can test for strep— we do and it comes back positive. Billed for $200.
Back in September I was sick. As soon as I figured I was I made an appointment for Wednesday 9/6. Answered all the questions and even put out there that it feels like it could be strep, but being so early I didn’t know for sure, though it feels like it does pretty much whenever I do have it. Doc ultimately said it’s probably not strep, likely allergies or something and sent me on my way with a script for such.
Whatever he gave me didn’t help and I get a bit worse over the next day or so and make another appointment for the morning of Monday 9/11 since that was the soonest I could get in and I made sure to do it with the same doc. We go through the same process and I tell him I’m pretty sure now it’s strep.
After typing up to here I forgot to say that I took a home Covid test and it was negative. I’ve had it before and it felt nothing like this, so I was positive it wasn’t Covid.
The Doc asked me again about the Flu/Covid symptoms, to which I said no to almost all of them and that I was pretty sure it’s not, but again you never know how those change and affect people differently. He then said that we can swab/test for Strep and Flu/Covid if I want, and I suggested we do. Turns out it is strep, so Doc writes the corresponding script and I’m out.
So that right there is my issue. Visit 1 I said it feels like strep and Doc ultimately said it wasn’t and didn’t even offer the ability to test. I get charged $80 for that visit.
Visit 2, I come back 3 business days later (5 calendar days) feeling worse. I give him similar details to which he then says we can test for strep if I want, and I do. Comes back strep positive. Get billed $200 for visit 2.
I feel it’s extremely unprofessional/unfair to have to go back a second time with the same issue before getting offered (from the same doc) the ability to test for the illness I came in for (suspecting) initially. So is there a way I can dispute this or negotiate the $200 bill? I don’t even need it to be wiped out completely— since I paid my $80 for the first visit I’d even be fine paying the difference and calling it good.
I realize after I was about to submit, based off the flairs, that I didn’t say anything about insurance. This is all after insurance (Ameriben which I think is a subset of Blue Cross Blue Shield) did it’s thing and left me with this.
Almost every time I go to an urgent care or a doctors office there’s some fragrance being used. I have fragrance allergies and I think it’s ignorant towards people with asthma or allergies to have these in a healthcare facility. It just makes no sense.. two urgent cares i went to this week where I had to stand outside because it was way too much for me.
I got a friend who has a bulge pushing on their spine making them a cripple. They have been going to VA for two months and they haven’t done anything. He is about to be homeless because he can’t work. If he committed a felony to go to prison would he get the surgery that he needs?
Hello, I'm exploring potential career avenues post-Bachelor of Health Science and looking for careers or jobs that pay or can pay in the six-figure range. I'm not limiting myself to health science-specific roles either. If there are potential jobs that can pay six figures and only require a bachelor's degree, I'd love to know what they are.
I initially intended to pursue graduate school after finishing my bachelor's, but currently, I'm not in the position to be able to take out student loans. I graduate at the end of this semester. I am currently planning to enroll in a Radiologic Technologist program after graduation because it is more financially feasible for me at the moment. However, if there is an opportunity to enter a profession directly with a bachelor's degree, I would strongly consider that option.
Thank you in advance for your help!
has to fit these requirements:
doesn’t require a medical degree (i already have a degree in an unrelated field)
works less than 5 days a week
doesn’t deal with bodily fluids (i will throw up)
let me know what positions would fit these and what licenses/certifications i would need to get please!! thank you!!!
My son had an emergency room/NICU stay. Not only was it a horrible experience from the staff there, but it left us with thousands and thousands of dollars in bills. Our insurance already covered almost 16k, but we're still left with thousands to pay. We can't afford it. Those that have been through this or work on the inside.....what can we do? I've heard hospitals will sometimes settle for a partial payment if you pay it up front. Is this true?
Any tips welcome.
This is a question specific to Aetna - has anyone else experienced coverage denials specifically for women’s care?
Last year i was denied coverage for a well visit with my gyn for a pap because i had i seen my primary for an annual visit (to check basically every other part of my body except my cervix) in the same calendar year. Two years in a row now, Aetna has denied my authorization for breast imaging (im 45 with a personal history of high risk lesions and density). Prior to Aetna, i had IBX for all of my adult life. I never had these problems.
I am curious to hear if other women have encountered similar experiences with Aetna.
Hello, we have been working on a healthcare pricing platform. Not sure if you know this or not, but the same procedure can have significant cost variation depending on what provider you go to. We have create a site that lists the prices of facilities and what you should expect to pay.
I would like some feedback on the site. Currently, we have all data from Alabama, US hospitals imported but are adding new data every day.
Website:
Any feedback welcome because healthcare is too expensive and people are constantly taken advantage of. No cost site or anything, feel free to register, use, and take it for a spin.
Thanks in advance
I am looking to either become a Rad Tech or a Health Administrator but I'm not sure what to do. I have worked as an MA and seen the hospital setting and would enjoy being a Rad Tech for patient experience and good pay but I also am interested in managing a hospital and working on the admin side of healthcare. I can't decide between the two because I hear good things about working in Radiology but haven't heard a lot about health administration besides the fact that providers don't enjoy health admins as most of them have their MBA and no clinical experience. Would an MBA in healthcare be worth it or an MHA? or go the Rad Tech route?
The following guide explores why effective inventory management is crucial for healthcare facilities to ensure optimal patient care as well as key challenges for software solutions for ensuring accurate data management: Mastering Healthcare Inventory Management: A Complete Guide
Good afternoon!
I am taking a class on the U.S. Healthcare System and this week I have an assignment that involves interviewing someone that works for an acute care hospital. I don’t need your personal information at all, just looking for someone that is a member of hospital governing board, a hospital administrator, a hospital employed physician, nurse or clinical staff person (physical therapist, pharmacist, etc.) to answer a few questions. Again this can be totally anonymous, and the questions are listed below. If you don’t mind helping me out I’d super appreciate it! I graduate in about 27 days here so this is one of my final papers, I just don’t know anyone in real life that works at a hospital so it’s been a challenge finding someone to interview. If you’re open to it, please feel free to just send answers to my inbox or I can DM you a good email to send them to if you’d prefer to email for one reason or another. Thanks in advance!
-Briefly describe your position to me.
-Why did you decide to work in health care?
-Why did you choose to work in a hospital?
-What do you see as the most important aspect of your job?
-Do you work as part of a health care team?
-How do you see teamwork improving patient care?
-How do you see inpatient care transitioning to outpatient care or home care?
-What has been the biggest change in your career?
-What changes have you noticed from the Affordable Care Act?
Axios - 02/09/2024 - More states are considering bills allowing medically assisted death this year
Are there any work and study opportunities that my sister (25 y) can apply for in Germany or surrounding countries? Within a train ride distance of Munich (where I live) preferably. She has 8 years of Nurse Assisting in Neurology and elderly care. She isn’t fluent but she has a few years of German on her belt from high school so I’m sure she could pick it up quickly if needed. Are there any nursing schools that teach in english or allow for a period of learning German while working? I’d just like her to be near. I don’t have any intention of wanting to move back to the US and my sister and I are really close. She is just in the process of looking for a new job and school opportunities.
Lack of universal healthcare and affordable medications are usually top of the list. But other than these, what do you dislike the most or find frustrating with healthcare in the US?